[sailingdog]

Joz—

Looks like you can add a breaker at the bottom of the panel to dedicate to the 12 VDC outlets.

 

[sailingdog]

I use a single 15 Amp breaker for my navigation lights (bow bicolor, stern light, steaming light, anchor light, tricolor light and foredeck light,) and the compass light. Since all of the fixtures are 25 watt or smaller, the total they could draw is less than 15 amps combined. I have a single wire coming off the panel to a six-switch fused panel, which gives the individual fixtures protection as required.

This would allow you to combine five of your existing breakers into a single breaker-compass light, running lights, masthead light, anchor light, and foredeck light-freeing up four breakers for you.

The switch panel I use is a Blue Sea WeatherDeck panel, which uses the mini-blade fuses.

Thanks night0wl and arf145 for the the info.

SD, I can probably use that spot for a 12v outlet breaker, but I'm also going to be adding refrigeration, so that'll need its own breaker too. While I may eventually replace the panels, like night0wl was talking about, I'm probably not doing that for a while.

However, sounds like most people either have the 12v outlets on a cabin lights circuit or on its own. Ideally, I'd have them on their own, but it might be cabin lights "aft" for now.

-J

 

[sailingdog]

COST. A Bluesea 6-position Circuit breaker panel costs about $270. A fused 6-position BlueSea WeatherDeck switch panel costs about $110.

Flexibility. Circuit breaker panels usually come with 15 amp breakers stock. Replacing them with properly sized 1, 2.5 and 5 amp breakers is very expensive and hard to do. The Blue Sea fused panel uses fuses that are cheap and readily available. The WeatherDeck panels can also be mounted in the cockpit so that at the beginning of a long voyage you can turn on the breaker, and then turn the actual lights on and off in the cockpit as necessary.

Space. The BlueSea 6-position circuit breaker panel is about 10.5" x 3.75" and can only be mounted horizontally. The BlueSea WeatherDeck panel is only 3.88" x 6", and can be mounted horizontally or vertically.

Safety. The BlueSea circuit breakers aren't protected from accidental shut off... the switches on the BlueSea WeatherDeck are.

Any questions???

Hey sailingdog, now that I think about it, although I see how the Bluesea fuse panel is sufficient for the job, why would I not just add a regular circuit breaker panel instead? I mean, my panels are not above decks, so I don't need the waterproofing. It would be only a little bit more $ for a Microlog panel, no?

Just thinking out loud...
-J

 

[sailingdog]

My solution is less expensive and far more flexible. For instance, on my boat, I can use the anchor light as an all-around when motoring off shore and want to be seen at a greater distance-or as a substitute if the stern light or steaming light burn out.

I really like this nav light panel: navltindhome

It even has indicators to warn you when nav light goes out, though it is a bit pricey.